Imagine joining a sports team for the first time. At first, you don’t know all the rules or have the skills to play well. So, you attend practices regularly, learn from your coach, and observe experienced players. Over time, you improve, gain confidence, and become an essential part of the team. This mirrors discipleship in Christianity.

Being a disciple means actively following Christ, learning and embodying His teachings daily. Engaging in a structured approach to spiritual growth is biblical and essential for every believer.

There is clear scriptural evidence supporting the concept of discipleship throughout the Bible. All believers are called to be devoted disciples, not merely church attendees who passively observe.

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬

‭New King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew documents the last instructions of Jesus before His ascension: The Great Commission. This call emphasizes that Jesus didn’t just want a community of churchgoers. He wanted a church of disciples.

What it means to make disciples is to help someone progressively learn the Word of God until they become mature (literally, “a pupil” or a true Christ-follower).

The word ‘disciple’ is used 268 times in the New Testament in Greek, found primarily in the Four Gospels and Acts, represented by the term “mathetes,” which means a student or a learner. A true disciple actively engages in learning, applying, and living out the teachings of Jesus.

Think about it this way: when you started school, you aimed to excel in a particular area of study, spending time learning and unlearning to build a body of knowledge. This knowledge equips you to practice what you’ve learned. This training reflects what we see in discipleship.

Being a disciple means actively participating in the process of spiritual education and growth, ensuring you are not just a bystander but a participant in the Kingdom of God.

Discipleship is done by teaching.

Matthew 28:20

King James Version

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Jesus instructs His followers to make students of others through teaching. The word “teaching” here denotes an indoctrination, instructing people in the things He has taught them. Therefore, a disciple of Jesus is one who actively learns and grows in His teachings. These teachings include admonitions, instructions, corrections, and examples.

Christianity is a taught faith, and we learn through precepts and examples. Implicitly, discipleship would require you to have a teacher- someone who labours in the Word for your growth.

We always say that the next best thing after salvation is spiritual growth and that would come about by active and consistent discipleship. Paul knew this, that’s why he made a statement like the one he made to the church in Philippi; his continuing with them, in teaching and fellowship, would cause them to grow.

A Disciple is a student who, through consistent teaching, internalizes precepts and examples. Discipleship is essential; it is an instruction in the Word— make disciples of men through constant teachings.

Philippians 1:23-26

King James Version

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul speaks of a decision he must make: to depart and be with Christ, which he considers far better, or to stay, which is beneficial for the people. He states that to abide in the flesh is more needful for them. His desire to remain reflects the commitment every good “discipler” has toward the growth of God’s people.

Philippians 1:25

King James Version

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.

The first thing I want you to note in this statement is ABIDE & CONTINUE.

Two Greek words here are menō and sumparamenō. Meno means: to remain, abide, not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually. This indicates a continual presence of teaching, instruction, and training.

Being a disciple means committing to an ongoing process of learning and applying God’s Word. Paul highlights that discipleship requires persistence in teaching and support for one another in faith.

Looking at the text again, Paul highlights why his presence as a teacher is needed.

1. Furtherance:

The Greek word “Prokope” means progress, advancement, and profiting. Paul is saying that there is something that would happen because he stays with them that would result in their profiting. Paul’s presence would cause them to grow.

2. Joy of Faith:

This joy reflects a time when your convictions are no longer burdensome or simply dutiful but a delightful experience. There is joy because of your convictions, contentment, and satisfaction with the answers you have found and an assurance of your beliefs.

Discipleship should lead to deeper joy in your faith as you grow in your relationship with Christ.

This is discipleship.

You’ve been saved, but that’s not the end; you need to grow. God’s design for every believer’s growth is discipleship.

Being a disciple means understanding that growth is a communal effort. You are part of the body of Christ, and each member has a role in helping one another grow.

Prayer Point:

Lord help me give myself to proper discipleship, I am diligent with the structures you’ve set for my growth. I humbly receive correction and instruction. I experience progress and joy in the faith!